Play Thirty Days
Thirty Days review
A player-focused walkthrough, choices, and replay strategy for Thirty Days
Thirty Days is a choice-driven adult visual novel that centers on a 30-day timeline and multiple romanceable characters, designed for players who want branching stories and high replay value. This article dives into Thirty Days from a player perspective, covering core mechanics, character routes, content considerations, and step-by-step strategies to get the endings you want. I’ll share personal playthrough anecdotes, practical tips to speed up route completion, and ways to manage mature scenes and save data effectively.
Getting Started with Thirty Days
So, you’ve decided to dive into Thirty Days game. Smart move. 😉 Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of interactive stories or brand new to the format, this visual novel offers a uniquely intimate and branching experience. Your goal is simple on paper: navigate a pivotal month in your character’s life. The execution, however, is anything but.
This Thirty Days visual novel unfolds in real-time across a 30-day calendar. Each morning you choose your focus, each day presents key moments with choices, and each evening offers reflection. You’ll build stats, deepen relationships with a captivating cast, and unlock events that branch the narrative in wildly different directions. The beauty—and the challenge—is that you can’t see it all in one go. Your first run is just the beginning of understanding this intricate world.
My first time booting it up, I was immediately struck by the need to pick a main character. I went with Alex, the aspiring artist, thinking I’d just coast through a chill story about painting. Boy, was I wrong. By Day 3, a simple choice to skip a morning jog to finish a canvas didn’t just affect my ‘Artistic Skill’ stat—it completely altered who I ran into at the café later, kicking off a subplot I had no idea existed. That’s the magic of this Thirty Days game; the small decisions echo in huge ways, and you’ll constantly be surprised.
This chapter is your ultimate primer on how to start Thirty Days. We’ll cover everything from tech specs to those crucial early choices that set your entire month in motion.
What to expect in the first playthrough of Thirty Days
Your inaugural run of the Thirty Days visual novel should be treated as a discovery mission, not a perfectionist’s quest. 🗺️ The game is designed for multiple playthroughs, so the pressure is off. Here’s what you can realistically expect:
- A Personal Story: You will not see every scene, meet every character, or unlock every ending. And that’s okay! Your path will feel uniquely yours. Embrace the FOMO; it’s what makes replaying so rewarding.
- Stat Management: You’ll have core attributes (like Charisma, Logic, Creativity, etc.) that increase based on your daily focus and dialogue choices. These stats act as keys, unlocking specific conversation options and events. Don’t try to max everything. Focus on what fits your chosen character’s personality.
- The Calendar is King: The game’s interface centers on a calendar. Some events are fixed on certain days, while others are conditional. Pay attention! Missing a key event because you chose to “Work Late” on Day 14 can close a story branch permanently for that run.
- Relationship Building: Every main character has an affinity meter, often hidden. Choices that align with their values or interests will raise it. Sometimes, raising affinity with one person can lower it with another. Drama awaits! 🎭
- The “Oh No” Moment: You will make a choice, maybe around the second week, that will make you gasp and say, “I did not think that through.” This is a rite of passage. Do not reload immediately! See where your mistake takes you—some of the most compelling narratives come from recovery (or spectacular failure).
My #1 first playthrough tip for Thirty Days: Play blind. Turn off guides. Let your instincts guide your choices. The authentic, unspoiled experience of your first month is something you can only get once. Savor it.
System requirements, installation, and where to obtain the game
Before you can live your virtual month, you need to get the game running smoothly on your machine. Here’s the down-and-dirty tech and setup guide to install Thirty Days correctly.
Where to Buy It
Always support the developers! 🛡️ The only places you should purchase the Thirty Days game are:
* The official developer’s website (they often get the largest cut).
* Major legitimate PC storefronts like Steam or GOG.
* The game’s official itch.io page.
Avoid shady key resellers. Not only do they often harm developers, but you might get a region-locked or revoked key.
Thirty Days System Requirements
The game isn’t a graphical powerhouse, but you need a stable setup for 30 days of saving and loading. Here’s the breakdown:
-
Minimum: These will get the game running, but you might experience longer load times between days or during complex scenes.
- OS: Windows 7 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i3 (2nd Gen)
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000 or equivalent)
- Storage: 3 GB available space
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Recommended: For buttery smooth transitions and the best experience.
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 (4th Gen) or equivalent
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Dedicated GPU with 1GB VRAM
- Storage: 3 GB available space (SSD highly recommended for faster loads)
Installation & First-Time Setup
Install Thirty Days via your chosen platform’s client. The ~3GB install size is modest. Once it’s ready, launch the game and head straight to the Settings menu before hitting “New Game.” Trust me on this.
Here are the critical settings to adjust for an optimal experience:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Text Speed | Faster (or set a custom speed) | The default can feel sluggish, especially on rereads. Speeding it up respects your time. |
| Auto-Advance Wait Time | 3-4 Seconds | If you use auto-read, this gives you enough time to absorb scene descriptions without rushing. |
| Save Slots | Check for “Maximum” or “Unlimited” | Some versions cap saves by default. You will want MANY saves. Unlock this limit if possible. |
| Quick Save/Load Hotkeys | Enable (F5/F8 are standard) | Essential for branching choice exploration. Save before every major decision! |
| Language / Content Options | Set to your preference before starting | Some narrative or interface text is locked per save file. Double-check you have the right language. |
Save Game Location Tip: 👾 Know where your saves live (usually in Documents/My Games/ThirtyDays or in the Steam cloud). Periodically back up this folder! It’s a lifesaver if a save gets corrupted or you want to archive a particularly meaningful playthrough.
Initial choices that shape the month: essential early decisions
The first week of your Thirty Days game is deceptively calm. The choices you make here plant seeds that will grow—or wither—throughout the entire month. You’re not just picking dialogue; you’re defining your character’s core traits and social circle. Here are the major early forks in the road.
1. Protagonist Selection (Day 0)
This isn’t just a cosmetic choice. Each of the three main characters (Alex, Sam, and Riley) has a different starting stat spread, unique internal monologues, and exclusive early-game scenes. Their personal goals color every interaction.
* Influence: Your entire narrative lens and which stat-building activities come most naturally.
2. The “Day 2 Morning Focus” Choice
After the intro, you’ll be asked how you want to spend your first free morning: “Explore the City,” “Get Organized at Home,” or “Reach Out to an Old Friend.”
* Influence: This sets a subtle narrative tone. “Explore” can trigger early random encounters. “Organize” might boost a productivity stat. “Reach Out” directly opens or closes an early subplot with a specific side character. It’s your first real stamp on the timeline.
3. The Cafe Encounter (Day 3, usually)
You’ll inevitably end up at a local cafe. Who you choose to sit near or acknowledge—the quiet person reading, the barista, the noisy group of friends—determines your first major relationship path.
* Influence: This often locks in one of the core romance/friendship routes for the playthrough. Other characters remain accessible, but this choice gives one of them a significant affinity head start.
4. Handling “The Unexpected Phone Call” (Day 4-5)
A call from someone from your character’s past will come in. You can answer warmly, dismissively, or ignore it.
* Influence: This is a major branch point for a backstory plotline. Ignoring it might bury that thread forever, while answering engages a complex, often emotional, storyline that unfolds in stages.
5. First Weekend Planning (Day 6)
You’ll get invites or options for how to spend your first weekend. Do you accept a social invite, work on your personal project, or rest?
* Influence: This is a huge stat vs. affinity trade-off. Social choices boost relationships but cost time. Solo projects boost key skills. Rest can recover a hidden “Stress” metric. Your choice here heavily informs what you’ll be capable of in the demanding second week.
Your First Session Checklist for Thirty Days ✅
Before you click “New Game,” run through this list to ensure a perfect start:
1. Verify your purchase is from an official source.
2. Check that your PC meets the recommended Thirty Days system requirements.
3. Adjust your in-game settings using the table above as a guide.
4. Choose your protagonist based on which story vibe calls to you—not on min-maxing.
5. Commit to saving often. Create a new manual save at the start of each in-game day.
6. Read the character bios and tutorial tips carefully; they contain hidden clues.
7. Most importantly, relax. There are no wrong answers, only different stories waiting to be told.
Now you’re truly ready. Take a deep breath and step into your first day. Your month awaits. Good luck
Thirty Days rewards careful choices, deliberate save management, and a willingness to replay for different character arcs. By understanding the route mechanics, managing mature content responsibly, and using targeted save strategies, you can complete multiple distinct playthroughs efficiently. Try the recommended weekend replay plan, use the save-naming convention, and join moderated communities if you want help tracking flags or hidden conditions. If you enjoyed this guide, share your own Thirty Days playthrough story or questions so I can help with specific route strategies.